[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach (Nassau County) Lark Sparrow
An adult Lark Sparrow is in the southwest corner of the Nickerson Beach (large) parking lot working along the south edge of the lot. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach (Nassau County) Lark Sparrow
An adult Lark Sparrow is in the southwest corner of the Nickerson Beach (large) parking lot working along the south edge of the lot. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach (Nassau) Wilson's Phalarope continues
Wilson's Phalarope (reported yesterday) continues in pool Southwest of parking lot. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach (Nassau) Wilson's Phalarope continues
Wilson's Phalarope (reported yesterday) continues in pool Southwest of parking lot. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach, Nassau Co. this morning
Highlights included an adult Arctic Tern and continuing Gull-billed (at least one) and Roseate (at least four) Terns. Also notable were at least 20 first-summer Common Terns, one of the largest single-site counts we are aware of. Patricia Lindsay and Shai Mitra Bay Shore Sent from my iPhone -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach, Nassau Co. this morning
Highlights included an adult Arctic Tern and continuing Gull-billed (at least one) and Roseate (at least four) Terns. Also notable were at least 20 first-summer Common Terns, one of the largest single-site counts we are aware of. Patricia Lindsay and Shai Mitra Bay Shore Sent from my iPhone -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach, Nassau
Peter Post and I (Ardith Bondi) later saw the Royal Terns copulate, and as far as Peter remembers, there is no nesting record for them in NY State. Would be exciting if they were to nest at Nickerson. Later yet, a third Royal Tern joined the other two. Ardith NYC www.ardithbondi.com Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 11, 2017, at 12:11 PM, Karen Fungwrote: > > Adding to Tripper's list: > Two Royal Terns on the beach at the western end of Nickerson, just east of > the Least Tern colony. Flagged by eBird as "rare" (= early?); seen ~11:10am. > > > Karen Fung > NYC > http://BIRDSiVIEWS.com > > Sent from my iPhone > > >> On Jun 11, 2017, at 9:09 AM, Pepaul wrote: >> >> In the past hour and a half: one BLACK TERN, two ROSEATE TERNs, one >> GULL-BILLED TERN, a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls of varying ages. Also 12 >> Red Knots made a short appearance. >> >> Good birding, >> Tripper >> -- >> >> NYSbirds-L List Info: >> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm >> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm >> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm >> >> ARCHIVES: >> 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html >> 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L >> 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 >> >> Please submit your observations to eBird: >> http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ >> >> -- >> > > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach, Nassau
Peter Post and I (Ardith Bondi) later saw the Royal Terns copulate, and as far as Peter remembers, there is no nesting record for them in NY State. Would be exciting if they were to nest at Nickerson. Later yet, a third Royal Tern joined the other two. Ardith NYC www.ardithbondi.com Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 11, 2017, at 12:11 PM, Karen Fung wrote: > > Adding to Tripper's list: > Two Royal Terns on the beach at the western end of Nickerson, just east of > the Least Tern colony. Flagged by eBird as "rare" (= early?); seen ~11:10am. > > > Karen Fung > NYC > http://BIRDSiVIEWS.com > > Sent from my iPhone > > >> On Jun 11, 2017, at 9:09 AM, Pepaul wrote: >> >> In the past hour and a half: one BLACK TERN, two ROSEATE TERNs, one >> GULL-BILLED TERN, a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls of varying ages. Also 12 >> Red Knots made a short appearance. >> >> Good birding, >> Tripper >> -- >> >> NYSbirds-L List Info: >> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm >> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm >> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm >> >> ARCHIVES: >> 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html >> 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L >> 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 >> >> Please submit your observations to eBird: >> http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ >> >> -- >> > > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach, Nassau
Adding to Tripper's list: Two Royal Terns on the beach at the western end of Nickerson, just east of the Least Tern colony. Flagged by eBird as "rare" (= early?); seen ~11:10am. Karen Fung NYC http://BIRDSiVIEWS.com Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 11, 2017, at 9:09 AM, Pepaulwrote: > > In the past hour and a half: one BLACK TERN, two ROSEATE TERNs, one > GULL-BILLED TERN, a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls of varying ages. Also 12 > Red Knots made a short appearance. > > Good birding, > Tripper > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach, Nassau
Adding to Tripper's list: Two Royal Terns on the beach at the western end of Nickerson, just east of the Least Tern colony. Flagged by eBird as "rare" (= early?); seen ~11:10am. Karen Fung NYC http://BIRDSiVIEWS.com Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 11, 2017, at 9:09 AM, Pepaul wrote: > > In the past hour and a half: one BLACK TERN, two ROSEATE TERNs, one > GULL-BILLED TERN, a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls of varying ages. Also 12 > Red Knots made a short appearance. > > Good birding, > Tripper > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach, Nassau
In the past hour and a half: one BLACK TERN, two ROSEATE TERNs, one GULL-BILLED TERN, a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls of varying ages. Also 12 Red Knots made a short appearance. Good birding, Tripper -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach, Nassau
In the past hour and a half: one BLACK TERN, two ROSEATE TERNs, one GULL-BILLED TERN, a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls of varying ages. Also 12 Red Knots made a short appearance. Good birding, Tripper -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach, Nassau - Fee Details
I stopped in at the administrative office at Nickerson to check on the details regarding the parking fees. Nickerson is a Nassau County (not NY state) property. Fees are collected daily - including from seniors. Fees are collected from 9 am to 4 pm. If you arrive before 9, you can enter without a fee and your car can remain in the lot once fees start being collected - there won't be anyone looking for a receipt/ticket on the dashboard. If you arrive after 4, there won't be toll takers collecting a fee. >From 9-4 fees are: Fee for Nassau County residents who have a Leisure Pass is $12. Fee for those who do not have a Leisure Pass is $35. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach, Nassau - Fee Details
I stopped in at the administrative office at Nickerson to check on the details regarding the parking fees. Nickerson is a Nassau County (not NY state) property. Fees are collected daily - including from seniors. Fees are collected from 9 am to 4 pm. If you arrive before 9, you can enter without a fee and your car can remain in the lot once fees start being collected - there won't be anyone looking for a receipt/ticket on the dashboard. If you arrive after 4, there won't be toll takers collecting a fee. >From 9-4 fees are: Fee for Nassau County residents who have a Leisure Pass is $12. Fee for those who do not have a Leisure Pass is $35. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach (Nassau Co.) & Connetquot River State Park (Suffolk Co.) Birds
A group of birders were at Nickerson Beach this AM searching for the avian goodies found by Brendan Fogerty yesterday. With northwest winds blowing 15-20 mph and an overzealous Town employee using a surf rake that constantly frightened the assembled terns on the beach, the outlook was not good. Eventually someone located the Black Tern feeding in the surf zone. Later two Black Terns were seen together. A quick glimpse of a Gull-billed Tern exiting the tern colony was a bonus. Eventually, i picked out the immature Arctic Tern feeding in the surf off the westernmost Tern/Skimmer colony but the bird quickly disappeared. The bird was eventually relocated in the same area and flew directly over us, giving most the group good looks. Perhaps the evening is the best time to look here, there seems to be a lot of activity early in the morning. I moved on to CRSP in Great River, quickly picking up the singing Yellow-throated Warbler in the pines along the main road. A pair of Yellow-throated Vireo's were observed on the trail south of lower pond - probably nesting. On the trail to Slade Pond an Acadian Flycatcher was calling and just east of the fish hatchery a Parula Warbler was singing. Ken Feustel -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach (Nassau Co.) Connetquot River State Park (Suffolk Co.) Birds
A group of birders were at Nickerson Beach this AM searching for the avian goodies found by Brendan Fogerty yesterday. With northwest winds blowing 15-20 mph and an overzealous Town employee using a surf rake that constantly frightened the assembled terns on the beach, the outlook was not good. Eventually someone located the Black Tern feeding in the surf zone. Later two Black Terns were seen together. A quick glimpse of a Gull-billed Tern exiting the tern colony was a bonus. Eventually, i picked out the immature Arctic Tern feeding in the surf off the westernmost Tern/Skimmer colony but the bird quickly disappeared. The bird was eventually relocated in the same area and flew directly over us, giving most the group good looks. Perhaps the evening is the best time to look here, there seems to be a lot of activity early in the morning. I moved on to CRSP in Great River, quickly picking up the singing Yellow-throated Warbler in the pines along the main road. A pair of Yellow-throated Vireo's were observed on the trail south of lower pond - probably nesting. On the trail to Slade Pond an Acadian Flycatcher was calling and just east of the fish hatchery a Parula Warbler was singing. Ken Feustel -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach (Nassau County) - 3 July 2011 - Lesser Black-backed Gulls (high count), Gull-billed Terns
Apologies for the delayed report. I've read the recent reports from Bobby Berlingeri and Sy Schiff about Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Nickerson Beach with interest. On Saturday, 3 July, Tom Burke, Gail Benson & I visited Nickerson Beach, primarily to look at the nesting terns and Black Skimmers, and to see if we could relocate the Gull-billed Tern that had been seen sporadically since spring. The most remarkable aspect of our visit, however, turned out to be a congregation of LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS on the beach in between the two tern nesting areas. Tom Burke initially spotted an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull in flight when most of the gulls and terns were spooked into the air for some reason. As we watched it, the gull circled and landed back on the beach in a small group of gulls. Looking through the flock, we quickly realized that most of these were also Lesser Black-backed Gulls - about a dozen! After we looked through these for a minute or two the entire group flew up and re-congregated into a larger group a slighter further east on the beach. When we looked over to this group we realized that there were even more Lesser Black-backs in this group. We moved over to a better vantage point, and Tom and I carefully looked at each bird simultaneously to confirm the final count - an astonishing FORTY-THREE (43) Lesser Black-backed Gulls! At this time the flock contained about 60 Great Black-backed Gulls and about 10 Herring Gulls. We categorized the birds into three rough age groups - "first-summer" types (36); "second summer" types, with more or less gray mantles, brownish wing coverts and primaries, largely black bills (2); "third/fourth summer" types, with gray mantles and wing coverts, largely white head and body plumage and mostly yellow bills, primaries black but without white tips (5). Some of this latter group looked nearly like full adults but with some black on the bill and no white primary tips. As we were watching the flock, birds would pick up individually and in small groups and fly off, mainly to the east. When we left the vicinity of the eastern tern nesting area there were only six Lesser Black-backs remaining, and by around 9 a.m. all the gulls had left the beach, probably due to increased beachgoer traffic. I haven't done extensive research, but as far as we're aware this is the highest single count recorded in New York, by a significant margin. In general, there seems to be more summering Lesser Black-backed Gulls along the coast than usual. Also of interest at Nickerson Beach was the presence of not one, but two GULL-BILLED TERNS. These were seen flying over and around the western tern nesting enclosure, occasionally with both in the air together. As we were watching them, we saw some parasitic behavior, where a Gull-billed Tern would dive down on a Common Tern returning to the colony with a fish, and steal the fish away. After successfully capturing the fish, the Gull-billed Tern then flew down behind the higher set of dunes at inside the enclosure. We couldn't see what happened then, but it would be worth watching for any nesting behavior or young Gull-billed Terns later in the season. None of us had seen this type of behavior from Gull-billed Tern before, although it is mentioned in the online "Birds of North America" account for the species. Cheers, Andy Guthrie Hamlin, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Nickerson Beach (Nassau County) - 3 July 2011 - Lesser Black-backed Gulls (high count), Gull-billed Terns
Apologies for the delayed report. I've read the recent reports from Bobby Berlingeri and Sy Schiff about Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Nickerson Beach with interest. On Saturday, 3 July, Tom Burke, Gail Benson I visited Nickerson Beach, primarily to look at the nesting terns and Black Skimmers, and to see if we could relocate the Gull-billed Tern that had been seen sporadically since spring. The most remarkable aspect of our visit, however, turned out to be a congregation of LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS on the beach in between the two tern nesting areas. Tom Burke initially spotted an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull in flight when most of the gulls and terns were spooked into the air for some reason. As we watched it, the gull circled and landed back on the beach in a small group of gulls. Looking through the flock, we quickly realized that most of these were also Lesser Black-backed Gulls - about a dozen! After we looked through these for a minute or two the entire group flew up and re-congregated into a larger group a slighter further east on the beach. When we looked over to this group we realized that there were even more Lesser Black-backs in this group. We moved over to a better vantage point, and Tom and I carefully looked at each bird simultaneously to confirm the final count - an astonishing FORTY-THREE (43) Lesser Black-backed Gulls! At this time the flock contained about 60 Great Black-backed Gulls and about 10 Herring Gulls. We categorized the birds into three rough age groups - first-summer types (36); second summer types, with more or less gray mantles, brownish wing coverts and primaries, largely black bills (2); third/fourth summer types, with gray mantles and wing coverts, largely white head and body plumage and mostly yellow bills, primaries black but without white tips (5). Some of this latter group looked nearly like full adults but with some black on the bill and no white primary tips. As we were watching the flock, birds would pick up individually and in small groups and fly off, mainly to the east. When we left the vicinity of the eastern tern nesting area there were only six Lesser Black-backs remaining, and by around 9 a.m. all the gulls had left the beach, probably due to increased beachgoer traffic. I haven't done extensive research, but as far as we're aware this is the highest single count recorded in New York, by a significant margin. In general, there seems to be more summering Lesser Black-backed Gulls along the coast than usual. Also of interest at Nickerson Beach was the presence of not one, but two GULL-BILLED TERNS. These were seen flying over and around the western tern nesting enclosure, occasionally with both in the air together. As we were watching them, we saw some parasitic behavior, where a Gull-billed Tern would dive down on a Common Tern returning to the colony with a fish, and steal the fish away. After successfully capturing the fish, the Gull-billed Tern then flew down behind the higher set of dunes at inside the enclosure. We couldn't see what happened then, but it would be worth watching for any nesting behavior or young Gull-billed Terns later in the season. None of us had seen this type of behavior from Gull-billed Tern before, although it is mentioned in the online Birds of North America account for the species. Cheers, Andy Guthrie Hamlin, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --